Atlantic 10 Conference honors Fordham's Elizabeth Warren

Last week, Fordham University track and field athlete Elisabeth Warren received the most significant conference honor of her college career. Warren, a senior who competes in the 400 meters and long jump, was named Atlantic 10 Women's Indoor Track & Field Performer of the Week.

On Dec. 9, Warren posted three top five finishes at the Christmas Classic, winning the long jump with a season-best 17 feet, 8 inches.

"Track is a huge time commitment," said Warren, who grew up in Silver Spring, Md., just outside Washington, D.C. "You really have to put your all into it. It's centered me for my schoolwork. It's helped me with my priorities. It's definitely matured me as an individual preparing for post-college life."

Warren said Fordham track and field coach Tom Dewey, in his 30th season at Fordham and 16th at the helm of women's track and field, emphasizes the importance of representing the university with pride on and off the field. She also noted that it was Dewey and the rest of the coaching staff who caused her to choose Fordham over a school closer to home.

"I run with confidence and pride as a member of this school and the team," said Warren, who began running in elementary school. Her father, who ran track in high school and college, was the coach.

From early on she liked running, jumping and competing. In high school, she also played soccer and basketball, but she knew her focus for the collegiate level was track and field. A visual arts major studying graphic design and web design, Warren doesn't know what role track and field will play in her post-college life, but she hopes to stay involved in some way.

Fordham's track and field team will be back in action on Jan. 6, when the Rams participate in the Metropolitan Coaches Invitational at the Armory Track and Field Center.

Warren has both personal and team goals for both indoor and outdoor seasons. "Individual goals, I want to break 18 feet in the long jump. That has driven me crazy for my whole college career," she said. "I'd like to score top five at the indoor Atlantic 10 championships in February. Ideally, for the outdoor season do the same. For the team, be top six or seven for the conference, indoor and outdoor."